Introduction to Printed, Organic and Flexible Electronics

Printed electronics is a term that encompasses thin film transistor circuits
(TFTCs), displays, interconnects, power, sensors and even actuators. Over one
thousand companies have now entered this market. These printing, materials,
paper and chemical companies of today will be the new electronic giants
tomorrow. This report introduces the technologies, companies, timelines and
opportunities for those looking to get involved in the subject.

Here, for the first time is the big picture, including how printed electronics
is the gateway to edible, foldable, rollable, conformal, wearable,
biodegradable and other electronics and electrics. It covers the future of
lighting and the newly created mass markets for disposable electronics and
affordable solar cells in vast areas but it also covers the impediments to
some rollouts including materials shortages and incremental improvements to
existing products instead of "thinking outside the box". For the first few
years it will be "electronic printing", mainly replacing print such as
barcodes, books, signage and billboards not electronics and this is explained
with a profusion of examples.

This report is vital reading to understand the opportunity of the technology,
players, needs and timelines, giving global coverage. It is a sister
publication to Printed & Organic Electronics Forecasts, Players and
Opportunities 2012-2022 which focusses on forecasts.

All significant developments in printed electronics are closely analysed in
this report. Unusually, we also look at the many printed electronic devices
and displays - electrochromic, electroluminescent, etc. - that are already a
commercial reality even on flexible substrates, not just the promise of
so-called OLEDs. Today's successes also employ conductors, batteries,
inductors, antennas, capacitors and electrically active materials that are
printed. The moving colour billboard, the gift card and the smart skin patch
that are printed on flexible plastic are a reality today and there are lessons
to be learned. Other advances are close behind, including printed thin film
fuel cells and lasers. Later will come self-adjusting ‘use by' dates, printed
microprocessors, ubiquitous printed lighting and other wonders, including
printing electronics directly onto things. All this is explained in simple
language.

For the first time, this report describes the technical and market development
and the many new applications, new suppliers and new users being created as a
result. There are many comparison tables and new and dramatic illustrations
from the smart airport to the next smart military aircraft, the car interior
of the next Jaguar car and even examples of electronics as art - newly made
possible. Nothing is more up to date than this compelling read.